Health Inspection Program

Lisa Roy, Program Manager

The Health Inspection Program exists to provide licensing and inspection services for a number of different types of businesses to regulate and protect the public health. Health Inspectors from the Department inspect licensed establishments thoughout the State on a regular basis for conformance with state rules.

The Health Inspection Team.

Food Allergen Information

Undeclared allergens are the leading cause of food recalls initiated by the FDA. The agency recently posted an article for consumers that describes which foods are most often affected and the allergens that are involved. You can go to the following link to see a copy of the article. Click here.

White & Blue Lion, Inc. in the City of Industry, CA recalled all lots of tattoo Inks and tattoo needles due to pathogenic bacterial contamination. Use of these products may cause bacterial infection and can lead to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. As an extra precaution, we are also recalling all tubes and ink cups as well. The recall includes all tattoo ink, tattoo needles, tubes, ink cups and kits distributed by White & Blue Lion.

For detailed information pertaining to this Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts message, please visit this link at the beginning of this bulletin.

07/22/14

Business License Application Information

The Health Inspection Program received a call regarding a business advertising and selling business license compliance packages that include the Health Inspection Program’s License Application. These packages were being sold for $149.99.

There are businesses that provide services such as compiling forms and filing business license applications for their clients that are required by state, county, city and municipal government agencies. There is a fee associated with these services.

Please be aware that if you wish to fill out the applications on your own, they are free and can be downloaded from our website at maine.gov/healthinspectio/forms, or you may call our offices at 207-287-5671 and we will mail or email you a copy.

05/23/14

2013 Maine Food Code has been adopted.

Complaints/Inquiries

To file a complaint, report a foodborne illness, or inquire about a Health Inspection Program-licensed establishment, please call our main number at 207-287-5671 during business hours. Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm excluding holidays. For emergency after hours calls please call 1-800-821-5821.

Americans With Disabilites Act and Swimming Pools

Certified Food Protection Manager Requirement

Every eating establishment, with some exemptions, must employ or engage a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). This requirement was adopted in the Administrative Rules for Establishments licensed by the Health Inspection Program effective January 18, 2011. A certified food protection manager must be hired within 60 days of a new eating establishment opening or when a certified food protection manager leaves employment. Existing establishments have until January 18, 2012 to have a certified food protection manager at each establishment. Learn more.

Fraudulent Health Inspector Alert

This is to alert you that the Health Inspection Program has received a complaint about an individual pretending to be a health inspector under the names of Frank Howard or Frank Stevens. The impersonator was calling stating they had received a complaint against an eating establishment and would be following up with a visit.

Please refer to the staff link for names of the Health Inspection Program Staff. Do not allow anyone without proper identification, to enter into your establishment to conduct a food inspection, nor provide or confirm personal information to anyone on the phone or in person pretending to be the state health department. You should also immediately call your local police department if you suspect that a person is acting fraudulently.

Business Answers for Licensed Facilities

The Health Inspection Program has prepared a series of questions and answers to assist those who are interested in starting a restaurant, bed and breakfast, hotel, tattoo parlor, or other facility licensed by the Program. Learn more.

A certified food protection manager must be hired within 60 days of a new eating establishment opening or when a certified food protection manager leaves employment. Existing establishments have until January 18, 2012 to have a certified food protection manager at each establishment.

American Red Cross Certificates

Effective January 1, 2011, all American Red Cross certificates with expiration dates (excludes programs like Babysitting and Learn to Swim) issued as of 1/1 will reflect a validity period of 2 years from the date of completion; this means 1-year CPR certifications will be 2-year and 3-year first aid certifications will also be 2-years, as recognized by the Red Cross.

Policy Change to the Rules Relating to Tattoo and Body Piercing Practioners

The Department of Health and Human Services has become aware of a safety issue regarding cleaning, sanitizing and disposal of needles included in our rules. The particular section of 10-144 Chapter 210 Rules Relating to Tattoo Section 5.B.5 Care of Instruments and 10-144 Chapter 209 Rules Relating to Body Piercing 5.B.5 Care of Instruments states “Used needles shall be cleaned and sterilized before disposal. An ultrasonic cleaning machine and autoclave shall be recommended to fulfill this requirement.” We have determined that cleaning and sterilizing used needles before they are disposed of presents a safety issue and therefore the Department will not enforce this section. Read the entire policy. (doc file)

TELEPHONE SCAM ALERT!

The Health Inspection Program has received a complaint about an individual pretending to be a health inspector under the name of Frank Martin. The impersonator was calling to set up an inspection appointment and ask personal information. The establishment was threatened with fines of $500 if they did not comply.

Please do not allow anyone without proper identification into your establishment, to conduct a food inspection nor provide or confirm personal information to anyone on the phone or in person pretending to be the state health department. You should also immediately call your local police department if you suspect that a person is acting fraudulently.

In response to legislation that was passed and reflected in Title 22 §2501 which states “Private homes are not deemed or considered lodging places and subject to a license when not more than 5 rooms are let…” the Department wants to clarify that your B&B establishment 5 rooms or less kitchen is still regulated as an eating place by the Department of Health and Human Services as you are preparing and serving a breakfast meal. The lodging piece of your establishment is not inspected by the Department however, a license and inspection is required for eating establishments per Title 22 Chapter 562 §2492.

Maine CDC Cautions Food Workers About Potential Poster Scams

Maine restaurateurs and caterers appear to have been the targets of an alleged scam involving the sale of hand-washing posters.

This week, Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said that an ‘official-looking letter’ that appears to have been issued by the Maine CDC’s Health Inspection Program requests that special hand-washing posters be purchased from a certain company for $19.95 each. The letter includes an 800 number that can be used to place an order.

“The Maine CDC did not issue these letters and there is no requirement to purchase these posters,’’ Mills said.

Maine law requires hand-washing signs to be posted over all hand-washing sinks to remind employees that they must wash their hands before returning to their work and before preparing or serving food, Mills said.

“Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent disease and ensure that food is handled and prepared safely.”

A copy of the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission's information handout on theVirginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is now available. By December 19, 2008, ALL public pool owners/operators must:

• Install drain covers that meet the ANSI/ASME A112.19.8–2007 standard on EVERY drain/ grate. A list of cover manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.

• Install an automatic shut-off system, gravity drainage system, Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS), suction-limiting vent system or disable the drain, if the pool operates off of a SINGLE main drain. Pools and spas with unblockable drains are exempt from this requirement. A list of SVRS manufacturers can be found at www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.

• Ensure that dual or multiple main drains are at least 3 feet apart.

APSP Career Institute Webinar on VGB Act and ANSI-7

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals’s Career Institute has posted it’s webinar on the VGB Act and the ANSI-7 on the APSP homepage at www.APSP.org under “What’s New”. There is no cost to participate.

Also available is APSP’s latest flyer, “VGB Compliance Guide”. This flyer and much more timely information on the VGB Act is available for downloading at www.APSP.org/VGB.